Carrie Erma Jean Hatley-Buford

Carrie Erma Jean Hatley Buford was born on July 10, 1922, in Burtsell, Arkansas as the third of nine children to Jim, Sr., and Lucinda McNear Hatley. She traded time for eternity on Friday, June 3, 2011 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia. Erma, as she was affectionately called was blessed with God fearing parents who, by example, taught Christian values, integrity and ingenuity creating a solid family environment. Nurtured in a Christian environment, Erma gave her life to Christ at a young age and was baptized at St. Clair Missionary Baptist Church. She was a life member of St. Clair and during the course of her life served in just about every capacity with the exception of pastor…...she was known to “preach a word from time to time.” On May 25, 1945 she graduated from the Nevada County Training School in Rosston, Arkansas where she excelled in academics and basketball. On July 24, 1953, she graduated from the Lincoln Institute of Nursing as a licensed practical nurse. She received her midwife permit from the Arkansas State Board of Health Division of Maternal and Child Health January 1,1964. She grew to possess a beautiful spirit and blossomed into an intelligent young woman. She became Mrs. Erma Jean Buford, when she married her knight in shining armor John Arthur Dewey Buford. Together they made many sacrifices to raise their children based on love, commitment, and Christian values. They later became proud parents of five caring children; Cloria, Clara, Harold, Earl and Shelia. This union was also blessed with James, Ivory, Carrie and Leon. Erma spent countless hours co-managing the Burtsell Community Store with her husband and serving as a midwife. With all nine children in and out of her home, cooking became second nature and what better way to earn a living than doing something she loved. Over the years, she has worked as a cook/chef for Holiday Inn, Town House, Glover’s Catfish, and County Kitchen. Erma was features twice in the Arkansas Times as one of the ten best cooks in Arkansas during the 1970’s. Madea, as she was lovingly called was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She preached kindness, respect of self and others. Erma has also worked for Gurdon Public School district as a bus drive, Area Agency for Aging as a Senior Companion, and head chef at Great Beginnings Child Care & Enrichment Center, Inc. Erma was active within the Southwest District Association and in 1998; she received the Humanitarian award from the District for service to the community, active church involvement and demonstration of leadership characteristics. She also became a Hospice volunteer for Baptist Health Hospice in Arkadelphia. In 2001, she received a certificate of appreciation from the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Volunteerism for outstanding volunteer service benefiting her community. In 2004, Erma was awarded the President’s Call to Service award by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Erma was also a very active member of the Order of Eastern Stars until her health began to fail. Those she touched and those who knew her witnessed her untiring love for God. She was a believer in “treating others, as you would have them to treat you”. Erma possessed an infectious smile that would chase the chill from any room. She lived life to the fullest, and there was never a dull moment when Madea was around. After wonderful years of sharing life with Dewey, her devoted husband was called to glory to be with the Lord. She was preceded in transition by her parents, four children, Clara Fort, Harold Buford, James Buford, and Ivory J. Clark; two sisters, Rebecca Hatley, Christine Beard and three brothers, K.T. Hatley, Eugene Hatley, Jim Hatley. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She will forever be remembered by her children, Cloria (Chester) Lee of Okolona, AR, Earl Buford of Los Angeles, CA, Shelia (Hillory) Frierson of Marshall, TX, Carrie Issac of Prescott, AR, and Leon (Cindy) Buford of Battle Creek, MI; four brothers, William Hatley of Los Angles, CA, Fred Hatley of Gurdon, AR, Andy (Christine) Hatley of Beirne, AR, and Leonard (Eloise) Hatley of Chidester, AR. She also leaves twenty-nine grandchildren, fifty-two great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, numerous friends and her beloved St. Clair Baptist Church family. Mrs. Buford will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, June 10th from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Clair Baptist Church in Burtsell, Arkansas. The Buford family has invited friends and extended family members to celebrate with them the home-going of Mrs. Buford at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th in the sanctuary of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church where Rev. Johnny Harris is the pastor. Rev. D. R. Crossley the pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas will preach the eulogy. The committal service and final resting place will be at St. Clair Cemetery in Burtsell, Arkansas. Bearers of the casket will be Kim Buford, Buford Dickens, Eddie Fort, Jr., Larry Hatley, Marcus Hatley, Larry Duncan, Michael Hatley, Bernard Hatley and Brad Hatley.